Umee's newest collection features vintage touches

Timely Fashion

Making sure you don't starve after you (accidentally) spend most of your paycheck on a pair of Louboutins. Babysitting at the last minute when you're desperate for a girls' night out. Inspiring your latest apparel collection...

Okay, that last one might only be true for Umee designer Deena Tearney. Still, it's something we can all be thankful for.

Aloha Shirt, $85, Little Black Shorts, $39.

Tearney fell in love with a top her mother made as a fashion student in Japan back in the '70s and decided to revive it with thoughtful, modern touches. Her version, the Honolulu City Shirt, sports the same structured, slightly boxy silhouette, high neckline and back button detail, but with above-elbow sleeves, tailored darts and pleats along the shoulder, and clear acrylic flower buttons rimmed in silver.

The rest of this brand-new collection follows its leisure suit. Tearney's bright silk flower print button-down pays homage to men's Aloha shirts of yesteryear with a shortened hemline that can be tucked or tied without adding bulk. The longer length of the fully-lined Aloha Skirt includes a subtle high-low hem that flatters long legs. And, to balance out conservative cuts, Tearney also brought back her sassy drawstring shorts in different colors and prints.

Like her previous collections, many of Tearney's new pieces are both work and weekend appropriate, and can serve as wardrobe staples for years to come.

Which means Mom would definitely approve.

$39-$120, available at Super Citizen, Kahala Mall, Hifi Coop, Ward Warehouse, and online. Select pieces are also available at Community, 22 S. Pauahi St. Sale Alert: Umee's previous collections are marked down 30 to 50 percent at Hifi Coop.

Most Popular in Lei Chic

Lei Chic is an email and shopping blog that plugs you into Hawai‘i’s newest and hottest boutiques, designers, trends, spas and salons, and more. You’ll also discover all the cool events, dinners and sales happening around town in our Weekend Picks every Thursday. With Lei Chic, you’ll get the inside scoop on what everyone will be talking about tomorrow—in your inbox today.

Lei Chic Editor Natalie Schack has been a cultural anthropology student, museum worker bee and dabbler in graphic design. When she isn’t scouting new fashion, compiling to-do lists or crafting puns, Natalie spends her free time dreaming up elaborate picnic ideas; “researching” via YouTube tutorials, blogs and Instagram; and dusting off her pith helmet for the next adventure life throws her way.